Reviewed 07-01-2001
Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Sleep Apnea?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10
seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. The hallmark of the
disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness and compromised quality of life,
including significant social and emotional problems. There are two main types of
sleep apnea. "Obstructive sleep apnea" may represent cessation of breathing
due to mechanical blockage of the airway; "central sleep apnea" appears to
be related to a malfunction of the brain's normal signal to breathe. Symptoms
of sleep apnea may include restless sleep, loud, heavy snoring (often
interrupted by silence and then gasps), falling asleep while driving and/or
during the day (at work, watching TV, etc.), morning headaches, loss of energy,
trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes,
anxiety or depression, obesity, and decreased interest in sex. Not all people
with sleep apnea experience all of these symptoms and not everyone who has these
symptoms has sleep apnea. However, it is recommended that people who are
experiencing even a few of these symptoms visit their physician for evaluation.
Prompt and proper diagnosis of sleep apnea is an important first step to
treating the disorder. Problems associated with untreated sleep apnea include
hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke,
psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, and death.
Is there any treatment?
For mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea, treatment often consists of using
methods to avoid sleeping on one's back. For people with significant nasal
congestion, a decongestant therapy may be prescribed. Patients with obstructive
and central apnea should avoid central nervous system depressants such as
alcoholic beverages, sedatives and narcotics. Weight loss and diet control are
encouraged for overweight patients. Many serious cases of obstructive sleep
apnea can be relieved by a treatment called nasal continuous positive airway
pressure (nasal CPAP). Nasal CPAP uses a mask-like device and pump that work
together to keep the airway open with air pressure during each inspiration.
Surgery may benefit some patients by eliminating or reducing the narrowing of
the airway due to anatomical defects.
What is the prognosis?
Eliminating the obstruction usually reverses the commonly associated pulmonary
and systemic hypertension and cardiac problems of obstructive apnea. Untreated,
sleep apnea can greatly affect daytime functioning. Sleep apnea sufferers have a
tendency to fall asleep during the day, a potentially deadly consequence of the
disorder.
What research is being done?
Sleep apnea is currently one of the most active areas of sleep research. NINDS
has notified investigators that it is seeking grant applications in both
clinical and basic sleep and wakefulness research, including neurological causes
and consequences of sleep apnea. Research on sleep apnea is also funded by the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Aging.
Organizations
National Sleep Foundation
1522 K Street NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
nsf@sleepfoundation.org
http://www.sleepfoundation.org
Tel: 202-347-3471 (no public calls please)
Fax: 202-347-3472
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 4A21
Bethesda, MD 20892
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Tel: 301-592-8573 800-575-WELL (-9355)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5C27
Bethesda, MD 20892-2292
http://www.nih.gov/nia
Tel: 301-496-1752 800-222-2225 TTY: 800-222-4225
